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Alofa tele atu is a universal letter of alofa that offers timeless parental wisdom alongside the hopes and dreams we all have for our growing tamaiti.
This is the story of the birth of an island, from the first red-hot glow of magma at the bottom of the ocean, to the flowing lava that hardens and builds up higher and higher until, finally, it breaks through the waterʻs surface.
And then, life comes to the island. First come the small plants and animals, and later, people. This is a tale as old– and as new–as the ground we walk on.
This board book is a colorful introduction to local food for the littlest readers. The amusing illustrations from artist Mariko Merritt are a perfect balance to author Resi Suehiroʻs stories that touch upon themes with local Hawaiʻi connections. The English and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi together help to anchor visual concepts with sounds and words, making this book a fun reading and language starter.
Holu is a shy heʻe (octopus) living happily with his friends at the bottom of the ocean. One day, however, Holuʻs life changes with the arrival of the Big Fish, a large and pushy ulua (amber jack) who begins to bully Holu and makes his life miserable. Holu is devastated and his friends are hesitant to help until wise Tūtū Kāne (grandfather) sets them all on the right path for dealing with bullies. In a dramatic way, Holu and his friends learn important life lessons.
Kiki is a young girl who uses her happy-go-lucky spirit to deflect unkind teasing by standing up for herself in song. She teaches a lesson that self acceptance creates a positive attitude which is also contagious. Children will enjoy Kikiʻs little songs and hopefully be empowered by simply loving themselves just the way they are.
Discover the story of an island sacred to Native Hawaiians. Beginning with her birth in a volcanic eruption, Kahoʻolawe thrives surrounded by animals on land and in the sea. When Polynesian voyagers arrive and begin to raise their families there, the island is happy. As the years pass, invasive goats devastate the ecosystem, and during World War II and the decades that follow, the US military claims the island for target practice. Kahoʻolawe is hurt. Yet activists never give up on the island, and they finally succeed in reclaiming her.
In this story of adventure, bravery and wisdom, little Kai the ʻOpihi (a limpet in English), struggles with his fear of the ocean and the resulting fact that his shell is flat and not pointy and muscular like all the other ʻopihiʻs shells. His friends– the eel, turtle, octopus, bird, and crab – all try to give Kai solutions to his problem, but it is finally Tūtū ʻOpihi, Kaiʻs grandmother, who gives him the needed insight and courage to persevere and overcome his dilemma. Based on real situations in nature, Kai the ʻOpihi Gets the Point also models for our children the value of intergenerational wisdom and the Hawaiian value of hoʻomau, or perseverance. The lesson of Kaiʻs story – “cling and donʻt fear”-- is an important concept to help prepare our younger generations for the challenges of life!
Kona is a young crab growing up in the warm waters off the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. One day a terrifying hurricane rocks the ocean, frightening Kona and hurting his shell! Even after the storm leaves his home, he is reminded of that scary time. With Konaʻs loving mother teaching and guiding him, he learns how to overcome his fears and keep a strong heart inside and out. “Kona and His Hard Shell” demonstrates the importance of understanding, coping and healing after a traumatic event.
Leʻa the Happy-Face Spider is alone and discouraged by a storm that has isolated her from her family and friends. As she thinks about what she can do, she remembers the advice of a friend and the love of her ʻohana, especially her mama. These memories motivate her to begin her journey back home. On her way back, Leʻa extends friendship and care to a lost and sad baby koa bug. Together they learn a precious lesson that home is not just a place, but a powerful web of relationships and aloha. This story highlights the power of hoʻomakamaka (friendship), hoʻomau (perseverance), and ʻohana (family)!
Little Lighthouse enjoys guiding boats away from the rocks until one night his light stops working. After his bulb is fixed, Little Lighthouse thinks nobody notices what he does and wonders if he should keep helping others. Through this story, children will learn to never stop doing what they love, or whatʻs right, even if their actions go unnoticed. Reading Little Lighthouse is an opportunity to discuss how our value doesnʻt depend on external validation.
Maka the tree snail makes his home in a tall ʻōhiʻa tree. Maka feels small and insignificant as he munches on leaves of the tree every night. Then, Maka and his tree friends realize that many other ʻōhiʻa trees are dying and they could lose their tree home, too. Wise Pueo owl points to a small hero who plays a big role in saving ʻōhiʻa trees. Maka discovers his worth, for no one is too little or small.
Mele the Crab Finds the Way Out is the story of a crab (pāpaʻi in Hawaiian) who learns what true leadership is all about. Mele (Hawaiian for merry or happy) is faster and stronger than all the other crabs and easily wins all the contests with her fellow crabs, but never wins their friendship or affection. Always winning and always being first make Mele the winner in all the contests - except in the contest of life. Because she finds herself isolated, her heart does not reflect her name until she learns an important life lesson in a yellow bucket. It is in the bucket that Mele remembers her Tūtū (grandmother) and the advice that will change her life! The lesson of the story of Mele– that true leadership is serving others (hoʻolawelawe in the Hawaiian language)-- is based on what is seen in nature around us. Crabs will naturally keep each other in the bucket. True leaders will tend to the needs of others before their own.
Moana is a Honu, an active Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (chelonia mydas), one of a happy group of animal friends in the ocean. Moana enjoys the fun and friendship of all the animals and is an adventurous explorer of new things. One day, Moana visits an “island” of floating marine rubbish and gets entangled in the mess. Moanaʻs friends soon miss her from their play and they begin a frantic search for her. It is Tūtū Honuʻs (Grandmother Turtleʻs) wise advice about working together that helps them save their friend.
This board book is a colorful introduction to home life for the littlest readers. The amusing illustrations from artist Mariko Merritt are a perfect balance to author Resi Suehiroʻs stories that touch upon themes with local Hawaiʻi connections. The Engligh and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi together help to anchor visual concepts with sounds and words, making this book a fun reading and language starter.
My Kalo has Lau, Big and Green emphasizes values of 'ohana, laulima, and "Ma ka hana ka 'ike" ("In working one learns"). The book includes ideas for activities to engage students in math measurements, science (exploring living things), language and literacy (phonemic awareness), and Nā Waiho'olu'u (the colors).
Noa the Puhi Learns to Let Go is the story of a Hawaiian eel, or puhi, who discovers the importance of releasing negative emotions that harm his relationship with others. Noa is a big, strong eel living in the oceanʻs depths. He twists and slides around and through the rocks and crevices at the bottom of the sea. Totally adapted to his environment, he is a fierce hunter. Like all puhi, Noa is known for his tremendous jaws and sharp, backward curving teeth. When he bites, he holds on to his prey and rarely lets go! Noa has a problem, however, and that is his tendency to hold on to hurts and misunderstandings with the same energy that he holds on to things with his jaws. Noa finally heeds the kind and wise advice of his Tūtū (grandparent), and with the encouragement and support of his friends, he learns a valuable lesson that holds wisdom for all of us.
O Laʻu Tusi Lanu Uliuli Ma Paʻepaʻe Muamua: with affirmations in Gagana Samoa and English, affirmations by Pepe Faitau Book Co.; illustrations by Kerilyn Clarke; Edited by Lillian Arp - 2 copies
O Le Aso Na Va’ai Ai Le Māsina I Le Lā
The Day the Moon Saw the Sun
Written by Jimmi Sivia; Translated by Duseigneur Sivia; Illustrated by Dalcetta Palepale - 2 copies
What makes the tradition of a Hawaiian lūʻau unique?
Golden light, home-grown food, an ancient land, a loving family, and so much more.
Preparations for a lūʻau unfold and elegantly grow in complexity in this distinctive picture book written in the cumulative style of The House That Jack Built, and illuminated by Kenard Pakʻs exquisite illustrations.
Pili the ʻIwa Bird Flies Again is the story of how a young ʻiwa bird (a Hawaiian Great Frigate Bird, Frigata minor) learns an important life lesson. Pili is a magnificent sight as she soars above the beautiful islands of Hawaiʻi. She is happy and life is good. However, when Pili sees something that attracts her attention, she begins to collect and hoard things in her nests. Soon her carefree afternoons turn into dreary days guarding her things.
When Piliʻs grandfather (tūtū kāne in Hawaiian) finds Pili in her nest, he reminds her that the true essence of life does not lie in having possessions, but rather in being content with what she was created to be. Pili listens to her grandfather, and the joy and freedom she once had return.
Silent Warriors honors the roles and power of all women through the stories of Micronesian women. People unfamiliar with Micronesiaʻs diverse cultures and rich history tend to misunderstand Micronesian womenʻs notable silence as weakness or lack of power. The region is traditionally matrilineal and matriarchal. Micronesian women, by nature and nurture, are major caretakers of children, they play the biggest role in passing down language, culture, and sense of identity. Clan lineage and kinship are traced primarily through women. All resources including land, water rights, and sacred knowledge are passed down through matriarchs. All of this means that before ever arriving at the decision-making table or discussing important issues, the men consult the women beforehand. This poem serves as a reminder that the mere presence of a woman is powerful and speaks volumes.
This is a board book that reminds children about the importance of playing. It can be incorporated with children by having them share a time they enjoyed playing outdoors (they can draw a picture and create a class board book similar to this book) and then talk about what they saw, what they heard, and what they learned.
A beautiful story about sharing.
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